Local student-athletes thriving on North Carolina track and field teams

Former Camp Hill standout Adam Smith (third from left, No. 396) has had a solid career at UNC, University of North Carolina photo.Veteran track and field coach Dennis Craddock has led the University of North Carolina to a staggering 45 Atlantic Coast Conference championships. A total of 19 Olympians and athletes who garnered 38 NCAA championships have benefited from his tutelage.

The Chapel Hill school on “Tobacco Road” is not all about athletics, however, as the Tar Heels also have a rich tradition in academics.

And, Craddock was quick to point that out.

“We have the best of both worlds here at North Carolina,” he said. “Academics and athletics are both very important here.”

That’s probably why Craddock recruited senior Adam Smith and juniors Andrew Rotz and Kacey James. All three were standout athletes in high school as well as excellent students.

“Smith is a great young man and a great leader for us,” said Craddock, who’s in his 25th year at UNC. “He is a team-oriented, hard-working student-athlete who is going to get his degree.”

Smith, a history major, hopes to become a school teacher and a track and field coach. A two-time team captain, he was a member of the 2009 ACC champion men’s distance medley relay team. Smith has earned four All-ACC honors in the 800 meters (outdoors and indoors as a sophomore) and indoor DMR and 800 as a junior.

“I’m not planning on running the rest of my life. In terms of making a living running, it’s not feasible for me,” said Smith, who was a PIAA Class AA silver medalist in the 800 in 2006.

“I was blessed having talent in running and it has given me an opportunity to get an education. College is a different league and there are some runners in elite status who make it work [profession]. I received a big wake-up call as a freshman coming from Camp Hill to UNC ... but I did my best.”

This indoor season, Smith has recorded a personal-best times of 1:52.33 in the 800 and 4:26.94 in the mile. He is working under first-year distance coach Peter Watson.

“The hardest thing for me in transition [as a freshman] was the mileage [training], time management and eating and sleeping habits,” Smith said. “There is no offseason in college ... you have to always be prepared and in shape. I feel that I’m in the best place for me both academically and athletically.”

Rotz, who arrived from Central Dauphin with a solid resume (PIAA AAA 800 state champion in 2007. Member of the 2004-05 CD boy’s state championship team), going to UNC was a no-brainer.

“I grew up being a Tar Heel fan,” he said. “The academics are great, it’s a fun school and sports are outstanding. Craddock is a great leader and the training philosophy of my distance coach [Watson] is better for me.”

As a freshman, Rotz finished 10th in the 800 (1:51.91) at the ACC Indoor Championships. His PR in the mile is 4:19.82 (sophomore season).

“Rotz, to me, is more of a miler, and I wished he would develop into one,” Craddock said. “He is a hard worker, and, hopefully, we still have time getting him to become a miler.”

Rotz, who is majoring in business, admittedly struggled with his transition from high school to college with the speed aspect.

“You have to adjust mentally and physically in college,” he said. “You can run your best and still finish in the back somewhere. I know that I won’t be making a living running ... and I’m all right with that. I’m so grateful for the opportunity that track and field gave me to get an education. Getting a degree will pay dividends in the long run.”

James, the PIAA AAA javelin champion in 2005 while at Carlisle, has been hindered with injuries to her elbow and left knee. She started the outdoor season well her freshman season by placing second in the javelin at the Wake Forest Open.

“I hurt my elbow [stretched ligament] in practice and had to rest for a while,” James said.

“Then I tore the meniscus in my knee in the outdoor season my sophomore year. At the same time, I had my ACL redone [originally injured in high school] so I got a medical redshirt. Now the elbow and knee feels good and I’m ready for the outdoor season.”

Josh Langley, James’ new throwing coach, has helped her technique-wise in how to throw correctly by incorporating her lower body more.

“I look at this as my first season,” said James, a sociology major. “It’s been frustrating, but I have two years left and a new coach.”

Craddock, who overall has coached for 43 years, added: “My heart goes out to her because of the injury setbacks, but if I had 1,000 Kaceys I would have a great team. You can’t ask for a better young lady who would do anything for the team. I know that going into the outdoor season, she’s our No. 1 women’s javelin thrower.”

Related Stories

Featured Story

Get 'Today's Front Page' in your inbox

This newsletter is sent every morning at 6 a.m. and includes the morning's top stories, a full list of obituaries, links to comics and puzzles and the most recent news, sports and entertainment headlines.

optionalCheck here if you do not want to receive additional email offers and information.See our privacy policy

Thank you for signing up for 'Today's Front Page'

To view and subscribe to any of our other newsletters, please click here.